Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-10
rHE RICHMOND DISPATCH THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10 1857

writers and others. While he was there
Mr.. Joseph Pulitzer, editor and pro-
pr;etor Of the paper, entered from his
private Office, and said ]:
Howard, I have particular assign
ment for you. Iwant you to go to-
night and write up Bishop, the mind
reader"
Mr.. Howard expressed great dissatis
faction with the change in his plans,
and was told that however much he
might have supposed that he was to go
10 Montreal, Mr.. Pulitzer had certainly
given no such instructions, and finally
Mr.. Pulitzer fatty refused to permit
Mr.. Howard to leave town,
Thereupon Mr. Howard became very
angry. He used some vigorous epithets
in addressing Mr.. Pulitzer, and finally
shot one at his chief which MIR. Pulitzer
evidently thought unbearable, for he
promptly knocked Mr.. Howard down
with a blow in the chest. Then came
the inglorious confusion incident to a
newspaper Office once in a generation.
Mr.. Towards glasses flew off, he car
RED down a couple Of files of news
papers in his fall, but he was not at all
yanauished. Getting to his feet, he es-
saved to sail into his chief, but Colonel
Cockerill appeared at that instant and
stopped the fight.
Nj. Pulitzer insisted that Mr.. How
ard should leave the Office immediately,
and before he went to his own home,
at 9 east Thirty-sixth street, he left
word that Mr.. Towards connection
with the World WAS to terminate i'm
mediately.
Mr. Pulitzer was reluctant to speak
OF the affair last night. He said he was
very sorry that he was forced to knock
Mr.. Howard down. Mr.. Howard had
always done about as he pleased in the
Office, but Mr.. Pulitzer intimated that
he still considered himself boss Of the
Office, though he never again wanted to
resort to fisticufis TO maintain his au-
thority.
At Mr. Towards home, at 81 Irving
place, his bright-faced daughter said
that her father had left town, and it was
stated later that Mr.. Howard had gone
to Montreal, anyhow.
Mr.. Howard is about fifty-five years
old, active and quick in his movements,
and has always been handy at defend
ing himself. Mr. Pulitzer Is about ten
wears Younger, six feet and over in
height, with nervous manners, long
arms. and redoubtable fists.
Colonel COckerill's version OF the az
fair is : Il was standing just outside
nv Office, the door to which adjOins
Mr.. Tulitzer's talking to Mr.. Howard.
Mr.. Towards assignment to go TO
Montreal was all right, Mr.. Pulitzer
came out Of his Office and said: How
ard, ] want to see you. Mr. Pulitzer
and Mr.. Howard then went into my
Office. 1t seems that Mr. Pulitzer
wanted Mr.. Howard to do something
else. | soon heard loud words. Mr..
Pulitzer ordered Mr.. Howard out of
the Office, and Mr. Howard said he
wouldn't go. Almost Immediately there
was a scuffie. ] entered the room, and
Mr.. Howard said that he had been
knocked down. He was upon his feet,
however, but his glasses were on the
floor. He said to Mr.. Pulitzer 8 I am
blind and cannot defend myself. Mr..
I Pulitzer then reiterated his command
for Mr.. Howard to leave the Office"
1t was stated last night that the quar-
rel between Mr.. Pulitzer and Mr.. How
ard has been brewing for a number OF
months 1t appears that there was a
misunderstanding as to Mr.. Howards
sttfUS ia the Office. He considered
that he was hired only TO write special
articles, while Mr.. Pulitzer thought
that lac ought to do whatever he was
told 70 do. Mr. Howard left the
HCrald to take the place on the World
at $50 n week. 1t was said that Mr.
Pulitzer did not like Mr.. Howard
work. and caused q reduction Of Mr..
Towards salary to 800 week. Mr.
Pulitzer continued to complain Of Mr.
Towards matter, and Mr.. How
ard was put among the space
writer's at SD a column. He was
also told to put himself under
the instructions of the city editor and
to have his matter read just rs the
"copy " of other reporters. 1t is said
flat this step was taken because Mr.
Pulitzer objected to what he thought
was Mr.. Towards adulation Of certain
people. All these changes stirred up
Howard, hut, according to one Of his
friends, Howard thought the climax
had come when Mr.. Pulitzer objected
to Mr.. Towards getting up a syndicate
letter to he sent to ten papers ut $50 2
letter. This outside work, II is re-
ported, led Mr.. Pulitzer to believe that
Mr.. Howard was neglecting the Uortd,
and he therefore took steps personally
to superintend Mr.. Howard's work, and
| thie led IN tho rOyC of Yesterday